Pablo Bauleo
Reviews By Author
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German Dampflokomotive BR86Published:
Hobby Boss continues to expand it locomotive series in 1/72 scale by adding the German Br.86. There are over 220 parts on 7 sprues and an independently molded cab (probably with slide mold technology). One of the sprues is molded in clear for the cab windows. Along with the above-listed parts and sprues there is a display base. You have two marking options, a military one in field gray and a civilian locomotive in the typical red and black. The overall surface detail is excellent and very delicate. I was surprised to see how fine the steam pipes were in the boiler sides. Overall fit is superb and I did not need to use filler anywhere, except in a spot where I damaged the part (i.e., my own fault). Construction of this model begins with the chassis and wheels. Make sure… more |
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Schnellboot in ActionPublished:
The German Kriegsmarine developed the Schnellboot (or S-boot) as a weapon of war to be used by elite sailors. As a testament of their skillfully trained men and excellent design, the S-boot flotillas were able to deliver offensive actions as late as April, 1945. This book is devoted to the description of the main characteristics and features of the following classes: S-1, S-2, S-7, S-14, S-18, S-26, S-30, S-38, S-100, S-151, and the LS class, which was a “midget” S-boot used mainly from auxiliary cruisers. For each class, there are line drawings and pictures (most of them in half-page size, very clear and sharp) illustrating the characteristics of each class. There are sections dedicated to the power plant, offensive and defensive armament, radar and radio systems, and… more |
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3D Hand Grab BenderPublished:
Once, I heard that a “modeler can only be as good as his tools”. While I think some modelers can be better than their tools, I know that in my case my tools are the best I can get, which is why I try to get the best tools I can. This arrow-head shaped tool is extremely handy to create “hand grabs” (for an armor vehicle, an aircraft canopy, or maybe a ship ladder) which will all have the same size and dimension. This tool might find uses in trains and maybe for hydraulic lines in an aircraft, or for internal wiring inside an AFV or a car. The tool has 28 pre-set lengths, or notches, so you only need to choose which one to use and then simply bend the piece of wire or photo etch to the length you need. Simply brilliant design. Every single handle will have the same… more |
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TigerPublished:
Osprey Publishing has a series known as “General Military” which has one-off books on different topics. This one is dedicated to the Tiger tank, although reading the book also provides a good insight on armored vehicle operations, as it includes descriptions of how the Tiger tanks worked together with Panzer III and half-track armored carrier personnel. The book is divided into nine chapters. The first three chapters (Development, Organization, Mobility) basically evaluate the tank’s performance as a vehicle and how it was used in combination with other AFV. The following three chapters (Firepower, Armor, Combat), cover the combat experience of the tank, with specifics sections for combat in each front (Western, Eastern, and Africa), while the final three (Maintenance, Under… more |
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Pz.Kpfw.38(t) Variations in ActionPublished:
The Panzer 38 was probably one of the best designs for light tanks at the outbreak of World War II. It was originally designed by a Czech team, and the Germans took over production after the occupation of Czechoslovakia and pressed the tank into German service. They also extensively modified the basic chassis into many other armored fighting vehicles. The book is profusely illustrated with b&w photos, plus a few color profiles. It covers the light tank versions A to G, plus other variants like the PanzerJager series (tank-hunters – the Sd.Kfz 138/M, 139, Grille H/M, and Marder), the Flakpanzer Sd.Kfz.140, several reconnaissance versions, an ammunition carrier version, a recovery vehicle, and even late war tank hunters like the Hetzer. There are brief sections describing the… more |
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F-4EJ Kai "8SQ Panthers"Published:
Hasegawa has re-released their “J” mark (Japanese) F-4EJ Phantom II. And that is a great thing, as this model is a pleasure to assemble. The box has 8 grey sprues, one clear sprue (for a total of 132 pieces), and a very large decal sheet with markings for five 8SQ aircrafts, including stencils for one airframe. Regarding the stencils – they are the proper color. These airplanes were “hand-me downs” from other squadrons and they arrived in a two-gray interceptor camouflage. When transferred to a maritime strike squadron, their stencils were masked off and the aircraft were painted over, leaving a grey surrounding to the stencils –which are black. Only after the airplanes were sent for overhaul at the maintenance shop did they get re-painted and new stencils (in white) were… more |
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Bf-110 vs. Lancaster 1942-1945Published:
The Duel series from Osprey Publishing has been expanded to include a volume devoted to the aerial night fighting campaign between the Bf-110 and the Lancaster during WWII. Most of the previous titles have been devoted to similar classes of airplanes, armor, or ships. However, this title is different in the sense that it’s a fighter versus a bomber (disparate classes of aircraft), and the weapons that changed the tide in their fight were usually technical developments in the field of electronic measures and countermeasures, not a higher rate of fire, better tactics, or improved performance. Like all the other books in the series, this one has a section devoted to the evolution of airframes, the strategic situation, training, combat, etc. It is illustrated with plenty of… more |
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Italian Self-Propelled Guns Semoventi M 41 & M 42Published:
Italian armored equipment has never received the level of coverage than armored equipment from other countries has gotten. This book is part of recent efforts to correct that historical trend. The book has 3 main sections: the walk-around of three preserved self-propelled units (two M 41 and one M 42), a section with line drawings, and a brief historical summary, with period photos. The walk-around is clearly the most important part of the book. It covers three surviving Semoventi, the M 41 da 75/18 at Rome, the M 41 da 75/18 at La Spezia (this one is a full running Semoventi), and the M42 da 75/18 located in Rimini. The last one is in German markings and built to German specs, after the Italian surrender. The pictures are in full color (for a total of 171… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110 Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the venerable Bf-110 from Revell/Monogram. This set is one of the more elaborated sets from SAC I’ve seen. It includes three main parts – two landing gear struts and a two-part tail wheel, plus 3 “frames” with the rest of the delicate parts. My example arrived partially crushed (I guess due to shipping). Having the small parts attached to a “frame” actually prevented them from being distorted. But still, a bit of work might be needed to straight them out; however, it is very easy to work with white metal. You can see from the pictures the parts are very cleanly molded and formed…in some cases, even better than the plastic… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf 109FPublished:
Mushroom Model Publications has released the latest installment of their Yellow Series titled Messerschmitt Bf 109F. Like all the other books in the series, it is printed in glossy paper and lavishly illustrated with period b&w photographs, color profiles, and color pictures of restored aircraft. Also of note is also the fact they have included 3D computer-generated images of different parts of the airplane (nose, control stick, etc.). In addition to the above, there are 1/48 scale plans of all the main Bf-109F variants, plus a 620mm fold-out (2-feet) color profile of a Bf-109. I wish I could frame it! The main sections of the book include: early stages, armament, prototype (Bf-109F-0), main variants (F-1 to F-4), production series, modifications (/Trop,… more |